Universiade Torch Relay travels through Penza

PENZA – On June 13, the Flame of the Universiade arrived in Penza, the 26th city on the Russian leg of the Universiade Torch Relay. Crowds of local residents greeted the main symbol of the upcoming Summer Universiade as 48 Torchbearers carried the Universiade Flame along the squares and streets of one of Russia’s major student centres.

The Torch Relay in Penza passed through the city’s central streets and squares, starting in Privokzalnaya Square where the first torch was lit and finishing in Lenin Square. The Torch Relay culminated in the lighting of the Universiade City Cauldron.

The city’s best students and famous athletes had the honour of carrying the Universiade Flame. Among them were Master of Sport International Class in Athletics and bronze medallist at the 2010 European Cup Yuliya Voyevodina, Merited Master of Sport in Diving and Sydney 2000 Olympic champion Igor Lukashin. Irina Smirnova, Merited Master of Sport in Rhythmic Gymnastics and senior coach for the regional team in group rhythmic gymnastics also took part, along with volunteers, representatives of youth organisations, and the 2013 Summer Universiade’s partner companies.

Natalya Belugina, Merited Master of Sport in Rhythmic Gymnastics, had the honour of lighting the City Cauldron. Natalya is also an international tournament winner, repeat national title holder and coach of the Penza Oblast rhythmic gymnastics team.

The Republic of Tatarstan’s Justice Minister, Midkhat Kurmanov, also took part in the ceremony. Along his side were Valery Savinov, Сharimain of the Penza Oblast Government; Yury Alpatov, Mayor of Penza; Alexander Gulyakov, Rector of Penza State University, and Artur Panteleev, Chairman of the Penza Oblast’s Committee for Physical Education and Sport.

“Today, our region greeted the Flame of the Universiade. This is the main symbol of friendship, health and peace. There are amazing sport traditions in our region: Penza is known for its athletes and its great masters of sport. That’s why the Torch Relay taking place in our city today has become a significant event that has gathered together all residents of Penza,” Yury Alpatov noted.

“Today you all have become part of the Universiade, because the Flame that the Torchbearers carried through the streets of Penza today will be lit at the World University Games Opening Ceremony on 6 July,” Midkhat Kurmanov said. “Universiade venues are ready to host guests from all over the world and I welcome you all to the Universiade in Kazan with all my heart.”

“We are happy to welcome the Universiade Flame in Penza today. The symbol of the World University Games has travelled around half the world and is now travelling around Russia. Penza has the honour of being part of the Torch Relay in the lead-up to the Universiade Opening Ceremony,” Valery Savinov noted. “University sport is well developed in Penza and I’m sure that the representatives of our region will perform well at the upcoming Games.”

At the end of the ceremony, Midkhat Kurmanov gave a souvenir torch to the Penza State Museum of Regional Studies as a gift.

The Universiade Flame will now travel to Saratov.

(Source: Kazan 2013 Media Dept.)